JUNE 19

Find Juneteenth events in Metro Detroit right here.

The Detroit Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity Department has also partnered with numerous community leaders to host a series of virtual panel discussions through August as part of “Freedom Summer.” The series, Changing the Narrative, will address issues of equity, wealth and equality.

LANSING, Mich. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a proclamation Wednesday declaring June 19, 2020 as Juneteenth Celebration Day" for the state. Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the day the last African American slaves were notified of their freedom in 1865. Im proud to declare June 19, 2020 as Juneteenth Celebration Day, and will continue to work tirelessly to create a state that is equal for all.The governor signed a similar proclamation last year to recognize Juneteenth Celebration Day. According to the proclamation, Michigan has recognized Juneteenth as a holiday for the last 16 years. Juneteenth -- also known as Jubilee Day or Freedom Day -- is a traditional holiday for many Americans, but is receiving more attention this year as the nation decries racism following the recent killings of multiple Black Americans.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. On Friday and Saturday, organizations around Ann Arbor will be recognizing Juneteeth through different events. Heres how different organizations in Ann Arbor plan to recognize the day. Juneteenth TributeAt 1:15 p.m. on Friday, Michigan Medicine will observe Juneteenth by inviting staff, faculty, and others to kneel for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Juneteenth Walk for Racial JusticeAt 9 a.m. on Saturday, the Ann Arbor branch of the NAACP will host its annual Juneteenth celebration in partnership with the City of Ann Arbor, GIVE365 and Protectors of Equality in Government. From noon to 2 p.m., there will be a virtual event featuring speakers, videos and time for reflection, according to a Facebook post from the City of Ann Arbor.

Many Black Americans also celebrate a day of freedom called Juneteenth on June 19, which commemorates the day the last African American slaves were notified of their freedom in 1865. Much like the Fourth of July, Juneteenth -- also known as Freedom Day or Jubilee Day -- is celebrated around the country with parades, cookouts and community gatherings. Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm named Juneteenth as a state holiday in 2005, declaring the third Sunday of June as Juneteenth National Freedom Day. This year, amid national unrest over the recent killings of Black Americans, Detroit is holding a weeklong celebration to commemorate Juneteenth. The city of Detroit began holding virtual discussions on Monday related to Black Americans culture and history on their Facebook Live.

From right in the middle of Woodward Avenue, Dean explained how the city is celebrating Juneteenth all week long. READ: Detroit is holding weeklong Juneteenth celebrationJuneteenth is a celebration of when the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, found out that they were actually free," Dean said. Once they heard the news, it started a Juneteenth jubilee.A stretch of Woodward Avenue is where that jubilee will be held this week, leading up to Juneteenth on June 19. Then were going to end the week with a celebration here in Spirit Plaza -- a Juneteenth rally, Dean said. We had some folks that reached out really wanting to paint a message of strength and resilience on Woodward Avenue, Dean said.

DETROIT DTE Energy announced Monday that June 19 -- a holiday known as Juneteenth -- will be recognized company wide on Friday as a day for reflection and well-being amid national unrest. Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating June 19, 1865, when the last African American slaves were informed of their freedom. DTE said in a statement that employees across the country will receive a paid day off on Friday, encouraging them to join with family members, friends or coworkers to listen, learn, heal and act for racial justice." I stand with all 10,000 DTE employees against all forms of discrimination and violence at work and where we live. DTE joins a list of companies -- including Detroit-based Quicken Loans and Nike -- in recognizing Juneteenth this year.

DETROIT The city of Detroit is holding a weeklong celebration for Juneteenth. Juneteenth honors the day in 1865 when United States soldiers announced the news of the Emancipation Proclamation to enslaved African Americans in Texas. The official anniversary date is June 19. Starting Monday, June 15, the city of Detroit will hold a livestream discussion about civil rights, inclusion and opportunity. The event is set to start at 6 p.m. on Facebook.

Nike is joining a list of companies moving to make June 19 -- “Juneteenth” -- a holiday. The move is part of the company’s effort to recognize a nationwide move against injustice for Black Americans. Juneteenth honors the day in 1865 when United States soldiers announced the news of the Emancipation Proclamation to enslaved African Americans in Texas. Nike’s announcements included plans to diversify the company by increasing the number of Black, Latino and female employees. Related: Trump rally on Juneteenth in Tulsa called ‘slap in the face’